Project Purple is here - Retro 29er?

[jango]

It's an early 90s Diamond back Override, I don't have a catalogue with one in, is it a commuter or an early 29er? Apparently Dave Wiens won a round of the NORBA championship on one :shock:

It all appears to be in reasonable condition, a new set of cables is all it really needs, but I may swap out the SLR plastic coated steel cantis in the interest of safety and maybe fit some slightly fatter tyres......

It's a bit on the small side....but hey that's Retro, stretch a small frame to fit, so a longer seatpost and flite saddle and a set of loong barends should do the trick!!

I reckon the combination of small bike, long stem and post and skinny tyres should be a right handful :roll: Can't wait to try it at Chicksands :twisted:

 

[Pickle]

I remember some 29ers in the mid 90's DB catalogues.

They were intended to be used for light trail use, canal towpaths and the like.

Interesting project you got there Jango!

 

[dirtjumper_dmr]

I'm sure I remember one from about 92/93 which had basically the same kit as the Apex but with the big wheels

 

[Tiger6791]

29'ers have been around since late '80s

Gary Fisher was a big proponent of 29'ers not just comuters but full blown mtbs

 

[velomaniac]

Technically I'd have thought that was a 28'er as you need fat 2" wide tyres to be a 29'er.

Also isn't a 28'er commonly known as a Hybrid or Trekking bike made by most bike manufacturers.

Please note I'm not dismissing the idea, hybrids can really rock off road its just that the 29'er really is a creature of the now not the then.

Most hybrids will not take tyres wider than 42-45mm unlike the 50mm plus 29'er tyres.

Cheers